Crimson Templar

Even the most devout followers of good can recognize the need for ruthlessness when opposing true evil. The crimson templars are taught that mercy is a virtue reserved for only those capable of accepting redemption.

They must learn this lesson well, for they are trained to face the heartless legions of Hell. These women and men are Heaven’s assassins, and they tread a bloody path so the oaths of others remain untarnished. Their mission is a thankless one, as righteous allies often view them as just a step away from corruption.

Hit Die: d10.

Requirements

To qualify to become a crimson templar, a character must fulfill all of following criteria.

If a crimson templar deals sneak attack damage to an evil outsider, he can study that target as an immediate action, allowing him to apply his fiendish studies bonuses against that target (including to the weapon damage roll).

At 5th and 10th levels, the bonuses on weapon attack rolls, damage rolls, and skill checks and to the DCs of crimson templar abilities against an evil outsider increase by 2. In addition, at 5th level and 10th levels, the crimson templar is able to maintain these bonuses against an additional evil outsider at the same time. The crimson templar can end these bonuses as a free action, allowing him to study another target.

Obedience

At 1st level, a crimson templar gains Deific Obedience as a bonus feat. If the crimson templar already has this feat or Celestial Obedience, he instead gains a bonus combat feat.

Shield of Wings (Su)

At 1st level, a crimson templar gains fire resistance 5. This increases to fire resistance 10 at 3rd level, increases to fire resistance 30 at 6th level, and becomes immunity to fire at 9th level. As a swift action, a crimson templar can manifest a set of five burning wings from his back to gain a fly speed of 40 feet (average maneuverability) for a number of minutes equal to his crimson templar level. He can dismiss these wings as a move action, but any remaining duration is lost.

While the crimson templar has these wings, and for a number of minutes equal to the number of minutes the crimson templar had wings after the duration ends or the wings are dismissed, the crimson templar does not have the fire resistance or immunity granted by shield of wings.

Ruthlessness (Ex)

Sneak Attack (Ex)

This ability is like the rogue ability of the same name. The extra damage dealt is 1d6 at 2nd level and increases by 1d6 every 3 levels thereafter. If a crimson templar gains sneak attack from another source, the bonuses to damage stack.

Bonus Feat

At 3rd level, 6th level, and 9th level, the crimson templar gains a bonus combat feat. He must still meet any prerequisites for these bonus feats.

Divine Boon

At 4th level, the crimson templar gains the associated deitie’s first boon. At 7th level, he gains the second boon. At 10th level, he gains the third boon. This ability allows the crimson templar to access these boons earlier than with the Deific Obedience or Celestial Obedience feat alone; it does not grant additional uses of the boons once the character reaches the necessary Hit Dice to earn the boons normally.

Heavenly Fire (Su)

At 4th level, the crimson templar can incinerate unaware evil foes with pure celestial flame. If the crimson templar deals sneak attack damage to a creature he has successfully used his fiendish studies ability on, the sneak attack wreathes the target in crimson fire. The target must attempt a Fortitude saving throw (DC = 10 + the crimson templar’s class level + his Charisma modifier). If the target fails this save, it takes an additional 1d6 points of damage per class level the crimson templar has. Half of this damage is fire damage, but the other half results directly from divine power and is therefore not subject to being reduced by resistance or immunity to fire-based attacks. On a successful save, the target takes the sneak attack damage as normal but does not take any of the heavenly fire damage. A crimson templar can use heavenly fire a number of times per day equal to his crimson templar level.

Immolate (Su)

At 7th level, whenever the crimson templar reduces a creature with an evil alignment to negative hit points with a sneak attack or coup de grace, the target must attempt a Fortitude saving throw (DC = 10 + the crimson templar’s class level + his Charisma modifier). If the target fails this save, it is entirely disintegrated, leaving behind only a trace of fine ash (as per disintegrate). If an evil target is reduced to negative hit points from the heavenly fire ability, it receives no saving throw against this effect.

This ability has no effect if the target does not have an evil alignment.

Ex-Crimson Templars

A crimson templar who ceases to be lawful good or who kills any creature with a good alignment loses all crimson templar class features. He can’t progress any further in levels as a crimson templar. He regains his abilities and advancement potential if he atones for his violations (as per atonement), as appropriate.